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I thought I'd seen a lot of crazy things in F1 but this takes the cake! From the FOX Sports website:
Villeneuve-Sato face F1 shootout
September 17, 2003
FORMER world champion Jacques Villeneuve and Japan's Takuma Sato could find themselves in a Fame Academy-style television shootout to decide who wins the 2004 BAR-Honda drive, according to a newspaper report here today.
Villeneuve, who won the 1997 title, has endured a nightmare season and is struggling in 15th place in the championship while team-mate Jenson Button is 10th.
To add to the Canadian's problems, he is still waiting to be confirmed in the seat for next year but faces stiff opposition from former Jordan man and current BAR test driver Sato whom Honda want promoted.
But according to the Daily Telegraph, what seemed liked a two-man fight has been complicated by the participation of Button's girlfriend, Louise Griffith, in the British television series Fame Academy which brings a group of showbiz hopefuls together with the winner handed a lucrative entertainment contract.
Now the team is thinking along the same lines to select a driver.
BAR team principal David Richards said that the idea to create their own version of the show is at an advanced stage – and that both Villeneuve and Sato would have to compete with a host of other young drivers.
"We are looking to see if this kind of shootout would be a viable solution. It was amazing how involved everyone at BAR Honda became watching Louise in the Academy, and the idea seemed intriguing," Richards told the Daily Telegraph.
"Of course, at the end of the day, it is my responsibility to see that the team have the fastest and best driver we can find, and not just a gimmick. There are a whole range of options open to us, but this one is an exciting idea if we can make it work."
Bahrain, which makes its championship debut next season, has been pencilled in as the ideal venue because of its sunny winters.
Organisers are aiming to create a global pool of international drivers, including Sato, for the contest in order to maximise the potential marketing appeal to television companies worldwide.
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I suppose it's an interesting idea, I'd certainly watch it. How embarassing for Jacques Villeneuve though, a World Champion should not suffer such indignity. He'd be better off coughing up the big bucks to buy a seat at Jaguar either through his own dough or by attracting some sponsors to the team to pay for a drive rather than being made to go through this. Shame he wasted most of his career at BAR.
Villeneuve-Sato face F1 shootout
September 17, 2003
FORMER world champion Jacques Villeneuve and Japan's Takuma Sato could find themselves in a Fame Academy-style television shootout to decide who wins the 2004 BAR-Honda drive, according to a newspaper report here today.
Villeneuve, who won the 1997 title, has endured a nightmare season and is struggling in 15th place in the championship while team-mate Jenson Button is 10th.
To add to the Canadian's problems, he is still waiting to be confirmed in the seat for next year but faces stiff opposition from former Jordan man and current BAR test driver Sato whom Honda want promoted.
But according to the Daily Telegraph, what seemed liked a two-man fight has been complicated by the participation of Button's girlfriend, Louise Griffith, in the British television series Fame Academy which brings a group of showbiz hopefuls together with the winner handed a lucrative entertainment contract.
Now the team is thinking along the same lines to select a driver.
BAR team principal David Richards said that the idea to create their own version of the show is at an advanced stage – and that both Villeneuve and Sato would have to compete with a host of other young drivers.
"We are looking to see if this kind of shootout would be a viable solution. It was amazing how involved everyone at BAR Honda became watching Louise in the Academy, and the idea seemed intriguing," Richards told the Daily Telegraph.
"Of course, at the end of the day, it is my responsibility to see that the team have the fastest and best driver we can find, and not just a gimmick. There are a whole range of options open to us, but this one is an exciting idea if we can make it work."
Bahrain, which makes its championship debut next season, has been pencilled in as the ideal venue because of its sunny winters.
Organisers are aiming to create a global pool of international drivers, including Sato, for the contest in order to maximise the potential marketing appeal to television companies worldwide.
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I suppose it's an interesting idea, I'd certainly watch it. How embarassing for Jacques Villeneuve though, a World Champion should not suffer such indignity. He'd be better off coughing up the big bucks to buy a seat at Jaguar either through his own dough or by attracting some sponsors to the team to pay for a drive rather than being made to go through this. Shame he wasted most of his career at BAR.
